Social Security Disability May Be An Option For You If You Have Liver Cancer

October is National Liver Cancer Awareness Month. It is a time to raise awareness about the risk factors and the importance of early treatment for this often fatal disease. It is also a time to learn how people who have been diagnosed with liver cancer and who are worried about what to do next can continue to support themselves.

Social Security Disability May Be an Option

Liver cancer is included in the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Compassionate Allowance Initiative. This classification allows people applying for Social Security disability because of liver cancer to have their case decided in a shorter amount of time than it takes for a claim filed based on a disability that is not included in the Compassionate Allowance Initiative. In other words, the conditions included in the Compassionate Allowance Initiative are so severe that they will meet the SSA’s definition of disabled.

While a person with liver cancer may have his Social Security disability application expedited, eligibility is not guaranteed. The other basic eligibility requirements for Social Security disability still apply. In order to qualify for benefits, an applicant must have paid enough into the Social Security system during his working years and have not yet reached retirement age (age 65). Additionally, the applicant must complete a full Social Security disability application.

If you know someone with liver cancer who is unable to work because of his liver cancer or treatment for his liver cancer, please share this blog with that person so that he will know his rights and contact us directly if he needs help recovering his benefits.